Expandable vehicle shelter system and method

ABSTRACT

A shelter system configured to removably couple with a vehicle. The shelter system includes a top portion and a bottom portion that are slidably coupled such that the top and bottom portions are operable to assume a collapsed configuration with the top and bottom portions nested together with a shelter cabin having a first volume. The shelter system is also configured to assume an extended configuration having the top portion extending upward with the shelter cabin having a second volume that is greater than the first volume.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional of and claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/385,489, filed Sep. 9, 2016, whichapplication is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entiretyand for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Collapsible shelters/structures have been created for both movingvehicles and dwellings since modern house and vehicle construction hasbeen taking place. The vehicle shelters that are currently used areeither very large and heavy related to the vehicle or are too small toprovide adequate space inside for the user. Once installed on a vehicle,the shelter diminishes the overall original aerodynamic qualities of thevehicle and accessibility. On a pickup, full access to the rear of thebed is lost. Usually, to get adequate height for the user, the shellroof permanently extends above and past the height of the vehicle roof.To create more space, the shelter sides also permanently extend past thevehicle sides.

There currently is no shelter/structure that provides both a compactstreamlined interface between the shelter and vehicle, while alsoproviding a large spacious living area with full head room height. Inaddition the shelters do not provide full access to the rear of thepickup when needed. Additional inventions are needed to meet theseun-fulfilled needs.

Also, there currently exists portable storage and living areas/shelters,but they do not provide a securable and lockable environment that canquickly and easily be transformed from a small square footage area to alarger square footage structure. Based on this, additional inventionsare needed to fulfill unmet needs. In view of the foregoing, a needexists for an improved expandable vehicle shelter system and method inan effort to overcome the aforementioned obstacles and deficiencies ofconventional systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1a is an exemplary perspective drawing illustrating an embodimentof an expandable vehicle shelter system in a collapsed configuration.

FIG. 1b is a perspective drawing of the expandable vehicle sheltersystem of FIG. 1a in an expanded configuration.

FIG. 2a is an exemplary cutaway side-view illustrating an embodiment ofan expandable vehicle shelter system in a collapsed configuration.

FIG. 2b is an exemplary cutaway side-view illustrating the expandablevehicle shelter system of FIG. 2a expanding via an expansion assembly.

FIG. 2c is an exemplary cutaway side-view illustrating the expandablevehicle shelter system of FIGS. 2a and 2b in an expanded configuration.

FIG. 3a is a perspective drawing of a door assembly of the expandablevehicle shelter system in a raised position.

FIG. 3b is a perspective drawing of a sub-door of the door assembly ofFIG. 3a in an open configuration.

FIG. 4 is a perspective drawing of the expandable vehicle shelter systemof FIGS. 3a and 3b in an expanded configuration and with the sub-door ofthe door assembly in an open configuration.

FIG. 5a is a front-view drawing of a door assembly in a compressedconfiguration.

FIG. 5b is a front-view drawing of the door assembly of FIG. 5a in anexpanded configuration.

FIG. 6a is a side-perspective view of a hatch of the expandable vehicleshelter system in a closed position.

FIG. 6b is a side-perspective view of the hatch of FIG. 6a in an openposition with a curtain exposed.

FIG. 7 is a side-perspective view of the expandable vehicle sheltersystem of FIGS. 6a and 6b in an expanded configuration with the hatchopen and the curtain defining a compartment.

FIG. 8a is perspective view of a platform within the cabin of anexpandable vehicle shelter system with the platform in a foldedconfiguration.

FIG. 8b is perspective view of the platform of FIG. 8a in an unfoldedconfiguration.

FIG. 9 is perspective view of the platform of FIG. 8b in an unfoldedconfiguration with a set of support tabs shown in a flipped upconfiguration.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a height booster.

FIG. 11a is an exemplary perspective drawing illustrating an embodimentof the expandable vehicle shelter system of FIG. 1a in a collapsedconfiguration and including a pair of height boosters.

FIG. 11b is a perspective drawing of the expandable vehicle sheltersystem of FIG. 11a in an expanded configuration.

It should be noted that the figures are not drawn to scale and thatelements of similar structures or functions are generally represented bylike reference numerals for illustrative purposes throughout thefigures. It also should be noted that the figures are only intended tofacilitate the description of the preferred embodiments. The figures donot illustrate every aspect of the described embodiments and do notlimit the scope of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments include an expandable height vehicle shelter system withvertically oriented side hatches that open up to create additionaloverall width, plus a full-size top-hinged rear door assembly that opensup to allow complete access to the rear of a cabin defined by theshelter system. A top half of the shelter system can be supported byfront and rear overlapping panels that are joined together in someembodiments by a sliding track and/or roller track respectively. Whenthe top half of the vehicle shelter system is in a raised position,flexible fabric curtains, which are normally stowed behind the sidehatches, deploy to form sides of the shelter and additionally definecompartments within the cabin.

With the side hatches opened and in a horizontal position, the flexiblefabric curtains originate at the outer edge of the opened side hatchesand span to lower deployable platforms. The platforms can be attached tothe shelter base and can rotate from vertical to horizontal position fordeployment. When in the horizontal position, the platforms create asleeping or storage compartment on each side of the shelter system. Whenthe large rear door assembly is closed, additional access to the rear ofthe shelter cabin can be provided by a smaller rear sub-door that isnested within the large door assembly. The smaller rear sub-door canalso have overlapping panels that are joined together by a roller trackor the like. The lower-half of the small sub-door can be fixed to thebottom of a large door cross brace and can be configured to open like aconventional house door.

Turning to FIGS. 1a and 1 b, an example expandable vehicle sheltersystem 100 is shown coupled to a vehicle 101 in a collapsedconfiguration 100A and expanded configuration 100B respectively. Thevehicle shelter system 100 comprises a shell 105, a door assembly 110and a first and second hatch 120 disposed on opposing sides of the shell105. In the expanded configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 b, the hatches120 can open to define compartments 130 on opposing sides of the shell105, which are also defined by a respective platform 140 and curtain150, which are described in more detail herein.

In various examples, the expandable vehicle shelter system 100 can be anaftermarket product that can be configured to couple with the bed of atruck to form a shelter defined by the bed of the truck and the sheltersystem 100. Accordingly, in various examples, the shelter system 100 canbe configured to removably couple with various suitable configurationsof truck beds of various makes and models of trucks.

For example, in various embodiments, the shelter system 100 can be usedfor camping or other recreational activities and a user can attach theshelter system 100 to a truck; travel to a camping location with theshelter system 100 in the collapsed configuration 100B illustrated inFIG. 1 a; and then expand the shelter system 100 for camping as shown inthe example expanded configuration 100B shown in FIG. 1 b. After use,the user can re-configure the shelter system 100 into the collapsedconfiguration 100A and travel back home, where the user can remove theshelter system 100 from the truck such that normal use of the truck canresume without the shelter system 100.

However, in further examples, the shelter system 100 can be configuredfor permanent or semi-permanent coupling with a vehicle 101 such as atruck or can be an integral part of a vehicle in contrast to being anaftermarket product. Accordingly, while various examples can beconfigured for aftermarket coupling with the bed of a truck, this shouldnot be construed to be limiting on the wide variety of alternativeconfigurations and uses which are contemplated within the scope andspirit of the present invention.

In various examples, the shelter system 100 can be expandable andcollapsible in various suitable ways. For example, as discussed above,FIGS. 1a and 1b illustrate respective examples of a collapsedconfiguration 100A and expanded configuration 100B. In variousembodiments, shelter system 100 does not extend past the cab of thevehicle 101 in the collapsed configuration 100A and does extend past thecab of the vehicle 101 in the extended configuration 100B. In furtherembodiments, the side faces of the shelter system 100 do not extend pastside faces of the vehicle 101 in the collapsed configuration 100A and doextend past the side faces of of the vehicle 101 in the extendedconfiguration 100B. Expanding and collapsing of the shelter system 100can be done in various suitable ways, including manual configuration bya user or via motorized configuration.

Turning to FIGS. 2 a, 2 b and 2 c, one example of transitioning theshelter system 100 between a collapsed configuration 100A and expandedconfiguration 100B is shown. In this example, the shelter system 100comprises a top portion 210 and one or more bottom portions 220, withthe top portion 210 being configured to expand over the bottomportion(s) 220. The top and bottom portions 210, 220 can be slidablycoupled together as discussed in more detail herein to facilitate suchexpansion. Expansion and collapsing of the shelter system 100 can beactuated by an expansion assembly 230 that comprises a spool 231, whichis operably coupled with a first and second line 232, 233 thatfacilitate movement of the top portion 210 relative to the bottomportion(s) 220.

In the example of FIGS. 2a -c, the first line 232 extends from the spool231, through a first pulley 234, through a second pulley 235 proximateto a bottom end of the top potion 210, and to a first anchor 236proximate to a top end of a first bottom portion 220A. Similarly, thesecond line 233 extends from the spool 231, through a third pulley 237,through a fourth pulley 238 proximate to a second bottom end of the toppotion 210, and to a second anchor 239 proximate to a top end of a firstbottom portion 220B.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 a, the shelter system 100 can begin in acollapsed configuration with the top and bottom portions 210, 220 nestedtogether and with the lines 232, 233 in an extended configuration. Asillustrated in FIG. 2 b, the lines 232, 233 can be wound on the spool231 via rotation of the spool 231, which shortens the length of thelines 232, 233 between the spool 231 and respective anchors 236, 239.Rotation of the spool 231 can be generated in various suitable waysincluding via manual rotation by a user, via a motor, or the like. Forexample, in some embodiments, the spool 231 can be actuated by anelectric motor, which can be powered by a battery or other suitablepower source, which may or may not be associated with a vehicle. Inother words, in some embodiments, an electric motor that rotates thespool 231 can be powered from a vehicle battery or vehicle power systemand/or via a battery or other power source that is independent from sucha vehicle battery or vehicle power system.

Additionally, further embodiments can include any suitable additional oralternative mechanism for moving the top and bottom portions 210, 220relative to each other. For example, one embodiment can include electriccylinders that are attached at suitable locations, such as at all fourcorners of the top portion 210.

Returning to FIGS. 2a -c, shortening of the lines 232, 233 can cause thetop portion 210 to rise relative to the bottom portion(s) 220 which canbe held together via slidable couplings between the top and bottomportions 210, 220 (e.g., via a sliding track, roller track or the like).As shown in FIG. 2 c, the top portion 210 can reach a maximum expansionheight in an expanded configuration of the shelter system 100, withlines 232, 233 being at a minimum length between the spool 231 andanchors 236, 239 with the lines 232, 233 holding the top and bottomportions 210, 220 in their relative positions.

Although FIGS. 2a-c illustrate an example embodiment of shelter system100 where the first bottom portion 220A is disposed at an obtuse anglerelative to a top plane of the top portion 210 and the second bottomportion 220B is disposed at a right angle to the top plane of the topportion 210, this should not be construed to be limiting on the manyvarious suitable configurations of the top and bottom portions 210. Forexample, in some embodiments, the first and second bottom portions 220A,220B can both be disposed at right angles relative to the top portion210. Accordingly, the example configurations herein should not beconstrued to be limiting on the wide variety of shapes, sizes, angles,and configurations of the top and bottom portions 210, 220.

In some embodiments, the shelter system 100 can comprise one or moreheight boosters 1000 as illustrated in FIGS. 10, 11 a and 11 b. As shownin FIG. 10, a height booster 1000 can comprise an actuator supportbracket 1005 and a lower support bracket 1010, which are connected via alinear actuator 1015. A linear bearing 1020 can be coupled with thelower support bracket 1010 with the linear bearing 1020 configured toslide up and down on a rail 1025 that is coupled to the rear door ofshelter system 100.

As shown in FIGS. 11a and 11 b, one example embodiment can include apair of height boosters 1000 coupled to the door assembly 110, which areconfigured to assist with actuating the shelter system between thecollapsed configuration 100A and the extended configuration 100B.

Turning to FIGS. 3 a, 3 b, 4, 5 a and 5 b, the door assembly 110 can beconfigured to open in various suitable ways to provide access to ashelter cabin 310 defined by the vehicle 101 and the shelter system 100.For example, in some embodiments, the entire door assembly 110 canrotatably coupled to the shell 105 via a hinge 315 at a top portion ofthe door assembly 110, which allows the door assembly 110 to rotateupward to an open position as illustrated in FIG. 3 a. In some examples,such actuation can be assisted by hydraulic rods 316, which can also beconfigured to hold the door assembly 110 in an open position.

Additionally, as illustrated in FIGS. 3b and 4, in some embodiments, asub-door 320 portion of the door assembly 110 can be configured to openand close to provide access to and from the shelter cabin 310. Forexample, the door assembly 110 can comprise one or more frame portions330 that surround the sub-door 320, which can be opened and closed aboutthe frame portions 330 while the shelter system 100 is in the collapsedconfiguration 100A, as illustrated in FIG. 3 b. Additionally, asillustrated in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the sub-door 320 can also beopened while in the extended configuration 100B.

Turning to FIGS. 5a and 5 b, an example embodiment of the door assembly110 is illustrated in a collapsed configuration 110A and in an expandedconfiguration 100B respectively. In this example, the door assembly 110is shown comprising a sub-door 320 disposed within frame portions 330.The sub-door 320 comprises panel portions A and E, with panel portion Ebeing an internal sub-door panel 321, which is slidably coupled to panelportion E, which is an external sub-door panel 322.

The frame portions 330 comprise panel portions A, C, D and F with panelportions D and F being internal frame portions 331 and panel portions Aand C being external panel portions. In various embodiments, panelportions A and D can be slidably coupled and panel portions C and F canbe slidably coupled.

The frame portions 330 can be coupled at a top end of a door assembly110, which can comprise a hinge 315 as described herein. The hinge canbe coupled to the shell 105 (not shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b ), which canmake the external frame portions 332 part of a top portion 210 of theshelter system 100. Additionally, the external sub-door panel 322 (panelportion B), can be coupled to external frame portions 332 via hinges345, which can make the external sub-door panel 322 (panel portion B) apart of a top portion 210 of the shelter system 100. For example, asshown in FIGS. 5a and 5 b, panel portion B is shown being coupled topanel portion A.

The internal sub-door panel 321(panel portion E) can be coupled to theinternal frame portions 331 via a hinge 346, which can make the internalsub-door panel 321(panel portion E) a part of a bottom portion 220 ofthe shelter system 100. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5a and 5 b, panelportion E is shown being coupled to panel portion D. Accordingly, inthis example, panel portions A, B and C can define a top portion 210 ofthe shelter system 100 and panel portions D, E and F can define a bottomportion 220 of the shelter system 100. As discussed herein, the top andbottom portions 210, 220 can move relative to each other (e.g., as shownand described relative to FIGS. 2a-c ).

Additionally, the sub-door 320 can be configured to open and closerelative to the frame portions 330. For example, with the internalsub-door panel 321(panel portion E) and external sub-door panel 322(panel portion B) coupled to the frame portions 330 via hinges 345, 346,the sub-door 320 can open and close via the hinges 345, 346 regardlessof whether the door assembly 110 is in a compressed configuration 110A,an expanded configuration 110B, or a configuration therebetween.

In various embodiments, the sub-door 320 can be opened or closed via ahandle 323 disposed on the external sub-door panel 322 (panel portionB). In other words, an assembly associated with the handle 323 can beconfigured to hold the sub-door 320 closed and actuation of the handle323 can be used to open the sub-door 320. Similarly, the door assembly110 as a whole can be configured to open and close (e.g., as illustratedin FIG. 3a ). As with the handle 323 of the sub-door 320, the doorassembly 110 can be opened and closed via one or more handles 333disposed on the external frame portion 332. In other words, an assemblyassociated with the handle(s) 333 can be configured to hold the doorassembly 110 closed and actuation of the handle 333 can be used to openthe door assembly 110.

In various embodiments, the door assembly 110 can comprise windows 340,341 as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 3 b, , 4, 5 a and 5 b. Inembodiments where the door assembly 110 comprises overlapping nestedpanels as discuss herein, it can be desirable to have correspondingwindows 340, 341 such that a user can see through both windows 340, 341when the door assembly 110 is in a compressed configuration. In otherwords, the windows 340, 341 disposed on the respective internal andexternal portions of the door assembly 110 can be configured to bealigned such that a user can see through both portions via the windows340, 341 in at least one configuration.

In various embodiments, panel portions A, B, C, D, E and F can besubstantially planar. However in further embodiments, such panelportions A, B, C, D, E and F can be curved, bent or angled in varioussuitable ways. In such embodiments, such a shape of the panel portionsA, B, C, D, E and F can be permanent or the shape of the panel portionsA, B, C, D, E and F can be dynamic.

For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 a, 3 b and 4, the door assembly110 can comprise an angled joint portion 350, that extends laterallyalong the face of door assembly 110 such that a lower portion of thedoor assembly 110 is substantially perpendicular to the ground and anupper portion is at a non-perpendicular angle. In some embodiments, theouter portions 322, 332 of the door assembly 110 can have a permanentbend along the angled joint portion 350 and the internal portions 321,331 can comprise one or more dynamic joints 355 configured to allow theinternal portions 321, 331 to match the contour of the outer portions322, 332 based on the door assembly 110 being in a collapsedconfiguration 110A, in an expanded configuration 110B or a configurationtherebetween.

For example, FIG. 3b shows a side profile of the internal and outerportions 321, 322 of the sub-door assembly 320, where dynamic joints 355of the internal portion 321 allow the internal portion 321 to match thebent contour of the outer portion 322 of the sub-door assembly 320 in acompressed configuration 110A. In contrast, FIG. 4 illustrates anexpanded configuration of the sub-door assembly 320, wherein the outerportion 322 maintains a bent configuration, whereas the dynamic joints355 of the internal portion 321 of the sub-door assembly 320 allow theinternal portion 321 to assume a planar profile that is substantiallyperpendicular to the ground as is the lower portion of the outer portion322 of the sub-door assembly 320. The one or more dynamic joints 355 cancomprise any suitable dynamic joint mechanism, including a flexiblematerial, a biased hinge, or the like.

Turning to FIGS. 6 a, 6 b and 7 (and also illustrated in FIG. 1b ), theshelter system 100 can comprise a first and second hatch 120 disposed onopposing sides of the shell 105. FIG. 6a illustrates a compressedconfiguration 100A of the shelter system 100 with a hatch 120 closed.FIG. 6b illustrates a compressed configuration 100A of the sheltersystem 100 with the hatch 120 open and the curtain 150 shown exposed andcoupled along a forward edge 610 of the hatch 120.

In the expanded configuration 100B illustrated in FIG. 7, the curtain150 is shown expanded and including a window 720. FIG. 1b illustratesthat the hatches 120 can open to define compartments 130 on opposingsides of the shell 105, which are also defined by a respective platform140 and curtain 150, which are described in more detail herein. Invarious embodiments, the curtain 150 can define a closed compartment 130by being coupled to the shell 105 and/or vehicle 101 at suitableportions as illustrated in FIG. 7 or can define an open compartment 130as illustrated in FIG. 1 b.

For example, in some embodiments, the curtain 150 can be removablycoupled to the shell 105 and/or vehicle 101 along various suitablelengths such that the compartment 130 can be accessed via an openingdefined at least in part by the curtain 150. Such a removable couplingcan comprise various suitable couplings, including a zipper, hook andloop tape, snaps, and the like. Additionally, in further embodiments, adoor or access port can be formed in the curtain via such suitablecouplings.

In various embodiments, portions of the shelter system 100 such as theshell 105 and door assembly 110 can comprise a rigid material such asmetal, plastic, wood, composite, or the like. In contrast, in variousembodiments, the curtain 150 can comprise a flexible material such as afabric, plastic or the like, which can fold and be housed behind thehatches 120 in various configurations.

Turning to FIGS. 8a and 8 b, the shelter system 100 can also include oneor more foldable platform 140 that defines a portion of the compartment130. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8a and 8 b, the foldable platform140 can comprise a pair of elongated arms 810 that are rotatably coupledto bar 820 that extends between ends of the shelter system 100 withinthe cabin 310. As shown in FIG. 8 a, the arms 810 can be folded upwardin a storage configuration and unfolded as illustrated in FIG. 8b (and 1b) to define a portion of the compartment 130.

In some embodiments, the foldable platform 140 can comprise a set ofsupport tabs 950 that are configured to flip up on edges of one or bothof the arms 810. Such support tabs 950 can be desirable because they canprevent a user residing on the foldable platform 140 (e.g., sleeping)from rolling off the edge of the foldable platform 140.

In various embodiments, there can be one or more compartment 130. Forexample, in some embodiments, the shelter system 100 can be configuredto form a pair of compartments 130 on opposing sides of the shell 150,with the compartments 130 extending outward from the shell 105 andexpanding the volume of the cabin 310 within the shelter system 100.However, in further embodiments, there can be a single compartment 130,more than two compartments, or the shelter system 100 can be configuredwithout a compartment 130.

Compartments 130 and/or the cabin 310 of the shelter system 100 can beconfigured for various uses, including for sleeping, as a kitchen, forstorage, as a lounge, as a bathroom, as a shower, and the like. Forexample, in some embodiments, the compartments 130 can be configured togenerate a pair of sleeping compartments, or can be combined generate asingle larger sleeping compartment within the cabin 130.

The described embodiments are susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, and specific examples thereof have been shown by wayof example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It shouldbe understood, however, that the described embodiments are not to belimited to the particular forms or methods disclosed, but to thecontrary, the present disclosure is to cover all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives.

What is claimed is:
 1. An aftermarket truck shelter system configured toremovably couple with a bed of a truck, the aftermarket truck sheltersystem comprising: a top portion that includes: a first and second hatchon opposing lateral sides of the top portion, the first and secondhatches configured to open outward to define respective first and secondcompartments on opposing lateral sides of the truck shelter system thatare defined at least in part by the first and second hatches and arespective first and second curtain that extends from the hatches; abottom portion that includes: a first and second foldable platform onopposing lateral sides of the bottom portion and respectively defining aportion of the first and second compartments; and a rear door assemblydefined by a first portion of the top and bottom portions and configuredto rotate upward to an open position via a top hinge of the top portionto provide access to a shelter cabin defined by the truck sheltersystem, the rear door assembly including a sub-door assembly defined byless than the entire rear door assembly and defined by a second portionof the top and bottom portions, the sub-door assembly configured to openoutwardly via a plurality of sub-hinges disposed perpendicularly to thetop hinge to provide access to the shelter cabin defined by the truckshelter system; wherein the top and bottom portions are slidably coupledsuch that the top and bottom portions are operable to assume a collapsedconfiguration with the top and bottom portions nested together with theshelter cabin having a first volume and to assume an extendedconfiguration having the top portion extending upward with the sheltercabin having a second volume that is greater than the first volume. 2.The aftermarket truck shelter system of claim 1, wherein the rear doorassembly comprises a joint portion that extends a width of the rear doorassembly, including a width of the sub-door assembly, the joint portionbeing angled such that a lower portion of the door assembly issubstantially perpendicular to the bed of the truck and an upper portionis at a non-perpendicular angle from the bed of the truck; and whereinthe rear door assembly further comprises one or more dynamic jointsconfigured to allow internal portions of the rear door assembly to matcha changing contour of outer portions of the rear door assembly based onthe door assembly being in the collapsed configuration or being in theextended configuration.
 3. The aftermarket truck shelter system of claim1, wherein the sub-door assembly is configured to open outwardly via theplurality of sub-hinges to provide access to the shelter cabin where thetruck shelter system is in either of the collapsed configuration and theextended configuration.
 4. The aftermarket truck shelter system of claim1, wherein the door assembly comprises at least one top-portion windowand at least one bottom-portion window disposed such that correspondingtop-portion windows and bottom-portion windows are configured to bealigned in one, but not both, of the collapsed configuration and theextended configuration.
 5. The aftermarket truck shelter system of claim1, further comprising an electric expansion assembly configured toactuate the aftermarket truck shelter system from the collapsedconfiguration to the extended configuration.
 6. A shelter systemconfigured to removably couple with a vehicle, the shelter systemcomprising: a top portion; and a bottom portion; wherein the top andbottom portions are slidably coupled such that the top and bottomportions are operable to assume a collapsed configuration with the topand bottom portions nested together with a shelter cabin having a firstvolume and to assume an extended configuration having the top portionextending upward with the shelter cabin having a second volume that isgreater than the first volume.
 7. The shelter system of claim 6, whereinthe top portion comprises a first hatch configured to open to openoutward to define a first compartment defined at least in part by thefirst hatch and a first curtain that extends from the first hatch to thebottom portion.
 8. The shelter system of claim 7, wherein the topportion further comprises a second hatch configured to open outward todefine a second compartment defined at least in part by the second hatchand a second curtain that extends from the second hatch to the bottomportion.
 9. The shelter system of claim 6, wherein the bottom portionfurther comprises a first foldable platform.
 10. The shelter system ofclaim 9, wherein the bottom portion further comprises a second foldableplatform disposed parallel to the first foldable platform on an opposinglateral side of the bottom portion.
 11. The shelter system of claim 10,wherein the first and second foldable platform each comprise a pair ofelongated arms that are rotatably coupled to a bar that extends betweenends of the shelter system within the shelter cabin, the arms configuredto be folded upward in a storage configuration and unfolded in platformconfiguration.
 12. The shelter system of claim 6, further comprising arear door assembly defined by a first portion of the top and bottomportions and configured to rotate upward to an open position via a tophinge of the top portion to provide access to the shelter cabin definedby the shelter system.
 13. The shelter system of claim 12, wherein therear door assembly includes a sub-door assembly defined by less than theentire rear door assembly and defined by a second portion of the top andbottom portions, the sub-door assembly configured to open outwardly viaa plurality of sub-hinges to provide access to the shelter cabin definedby the shelter system.
 14. The shelter system of claim 13, wherein therear door assembly comprises a joint portion that extends a width of therear door assembly, including a width of the sub-door assembly, thejoint portion being angled such that a lower portion of the doorassembly is disposed at a first angle and an upper portion is disposedat a second angle that is not the same as the first angle; and whereinthe rear door assembly further comprises one or more dynamic jointsconfigured to allow internal portions of the rear door assembly to matcha changing contour of outer portions of the rear door assembly based onthe door assembly being in the collapsed configuration or being in theextended configuration.
 15. The shelter system of claim 13, wherein thesub-door assembly is configured to open outwardly via the plurality ofsub-hinges to provide access to the shelter cabin where the sheltersystem is in either of the collapsed configuration and the extendedconfiguration.
 16. The shelter system of claim 12, wherein the doorassembly comprises at least one top- portion window and at least onebottom-portion window disposed such that corresponding top-portionwindows and bottom-portion windows are configured to be aligned in one,but not both, of the collapsed configuration and the extendedconfiguration.
 17. The shelter system of claim 6, further comprising amotorized expansion assembly configured to actuate the shelter systemfrom the collapsed configuration to the extended configuration.
 18. Anaftermarket truck shelter system configured to removably couple with abed of a truck, the aftermarket truck shelter system comprising theshelter system of claim
 6. 19. A method of using a shelter systemcomprising: at a first location, coupling the shelter system of claim 6with a bed of a truck, the shelter system being in the collapsedconfiguration; driving the truck to a second location with the sheltersystem being in the collapsed configuration; at the second location,configuring the shelter system from the collapsed configuration to theextended configuration; at the second location, configuring the sheltersystem from the extended configuration to the collapsed configuration;driving the truck to a third location with the shelter system being inthe collapsed configuration; and at the third location, removing theshelter system from the bed of the truck with the shelter system beingin the collapsed configuration.